The Spanish women’s water polo team has found a new bete noire on its path to glory: the Netherlands. Orange is the new black color of the aquatic warriors, who in the last six months have lost three times to the Dutch: in the Fukuoka World Cup, in the qualifying phase and in the final, and now in the European final in Eindhoven .
Miki Oca’s players crashed against the Dutch defensive strength and long-distance shots. A goal by Bente Rogge with 6 and a half seconds left thwarted the fourth continental gold for Spain, which, even so, has accumulated 11 medals in the last 18 major championships (Games, World and European) since 2010, with Oca on the bench .
Spain started with fury, with a suffocating defensive intensity, the watchword of this Miki Oca group, to drown out the Netherlands’ shots, its best weapon. The result was that the warriors jammed the Dutch attack, they did not feel comfortable and were left with only one goal, a penalty from Van de Kraats, making it 2-1. Before, Spain gave a good example of its offensive potential, through two classic arms: Judith Forca’s left-footed one that opened the scoring after a minute and a half, and Anni Espar’s right-footed one with a spectacular shot into the top corner (2-0 ). Also notable was the good performance of goalkeeper Martina Terré, who stopped the Oranje attack with three saves in each of their superior positions.
Far from consolidating its advantage and its game, Spain foundered in the second quarter. The Dutch team grew by tightening its defense and changing its offensive strategy of throwing balls into the pot in search of its powerful buoy Joustra, a bull that made a mess every time it received. He took advantage of the spaces left by the Spanish defense, which was too open, to score two goals in a row that put the Netherlands ahead (2-3). Nona Pérez responded by sending a ball to the post, and Bea Ortiz broke the attack with a cross shot to reestablish equality (3-3). However, Van der Sloot and Sevenich, with two shots with little opposition, established a dangerous 3-5 to reach the break. The devastating partial of the fourth said it all: 1-4.
The duel was resumed by the Spanish team most involved in the game, especially Elena Ruiz who closed the gap (4-5) and a stellar Martina Terré who linked three decisive stops (one from a penalty to Van de Kraats) to prevent the Netherlands from recovering. the rent. Spain recovered, achieving a tie (5-5) with a missile from Bea Ortiz. Terré kept stopping long shots (4th stop in the period) and the Oranje coach had to call time because her team was running aground with the Spanish lead 2-0.
With 40 seconds left, Lieke Rogge broke the Dutch drought with a powerful shot at Terré’s squad that once again put his team ahead (5-6) to face the last quarter with the slightest advantage. Miki Oca ostensibly complained about the few expulsions that were given to the Dutch, only one to four for the Spanish.
In the last 8 minutes, Spain would have to redouble its defensive effort to stop the Netherlands’ potential. And in attack, get more out of their resources, such as playing with the Maica García-Paula Leitón double buoy. He found the connection with Leitón, who scored a fabulous 6-6 by unleashing a whip from his back. The expulsions punished Spain, which was left without Anni Espar with 4 minutes left, and immediately afterwards, in superiority, Van der Sloot scored 6-7. There were three and a half minutes left.
The final eluded Spain, which could not find a way to score with its superiority (0 out of 7). Miki Oca asked for time with 2 minutes left to adjust the attack. The tactic went perfectly, with a pass from Bea Ortiz to Maica García at the buoy to score 7-7, turning around with 1m48s remaining. In the Dutch attack, Lieke Rogge hit the ball against the post, but Spain wasted his reply by stealing the ball from Van der Kraats with 43 seconds remaining.
The Netherlands asked for time to organize their last attack, the ball arrived in a central position to Bente Rogge, who launched a powerful shot with 6 seconds remaining, the ball touched the post and Martina Terré, and slipped into the goal. Misfortune visited Spain again. In her last attempt, with 6 seconds left, Elena Ruiz’s shot was stopped by Paula Aarts. The warriors once again gave in to the Dutch.
In addition to the silver, the fourth consecutive European medal, Spain took the small consolation of the MVP for Bea Ortiz, Astralpool CN Sabadell player.
